The officials have begun monitoring North Dakota to detect any presence of West Nile virus after a person in Mexico has been detected positive with the deadly West Nile Virus making it the first human case to contract the virus in 2015.

The first 2015 victim is a 12-year-old girl of Valencia County who is now recovering from West Nile. There were 23 West Nile virus cases and one death in the last year.

Sandra Melman, Epidemiologist, New Mexico Department of Health stated, "Neuro-invasive disease which is what this little girl had and you can have encephalitis, meningitis, and be hospitalized very seriously, up to death".

Melman explained that the West Nile Virus is spread between birds and mosquitoes and then humans and horses can acquire the virus from mosquito bites.

Further, Melman warned that the virus is deadly as a majority of people who get the virus do not develop any symptoms and would not even get to know if they have contracted the disease.

The State Health officials are examining any possible vectors; they are testing sick horses and dead birds. The mosquitoes are being trapped and tested for the West Nile Virus. The illness of people is also being monitored to rule out contamination with the West Nile Virus.

The West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus, which has been monitored by the State health officials since 2002. Several cases have been reported in the past in every county in North Dakota.

Melman advices to take precautions by wearing long sleeve clothes and applying insect repellent every time one goes outside the house.